Comments on: The problem with prizes

By: catmando

catmando — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:18:26 +0000

I’m a software developer trying to make a living as a photographer. I completely agree with the article, although I have to say I have never been tempted to shoot negative images. My main drive is to capture the details that often pass us by in order to magnify and emphasize the beauty of the world around us.
If anyone has a spare second I’d greatly appreciate any feedback on a few projects of mine:
http://life-at-640×480.tumblr.com
http://elementary-my-dear-smithers.tumbl r.com
http://flickr.com/dancotruta

BTW Radu, eu te-am cunoscut cand eram mic si acum m-am restabilit in Bucuresti. Poate ne intalnim la un moment oportun.

By: Radha12

Radha12 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:58:25 +0000

I’m just getting into photography and I have been falling into this trap. Focusing on negative things in general. I am going to focus on more positive now instead. Continue to spread your message to young photographers, it is important.

By: RTWMountain

RTWMountain — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:30:21 +0000

Right on Radu, the wannabes that showed up in Libya without even having an assignment last year were a perfect illustration of your point. Seems to get worse every tragedy that comes along…yours is a brave stance to take and I applaud you for it. rtw

By: jrpardinas

jrpardinas — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:15:50 +0000

@americandusk:

Your post is every bit as interesting as the article.

Nonetheless, however disingenuous their motivations, I think somebody should chronicle these events brutal as they may be.

As Cormac McCarthy so well put it in his masterpiece Blood Meridian: “War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner.”

Assuming that some version of the human race survives, these images will probably be of use to societies in the far future.

And, even if humanity does not survive, these pictures would be of enormous value to the extraterrestrial archeologists who may someday excavate our ruins.

Either way, photographers of these episodes are, unbeknownst to themselves, working for a higher purpose.

By: tg01

tg01 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:56:06 +0000

Well put and much needed call to awareness, Radu. Thought provoking comments, americandusk. As McCluhan said, “The medium is the message”. Image based media, such as photojournalism and video coverage, has the potential of being incendiary in its own right. All of us involved in presenting events to the public have a responsibility to choose what we present from a point of view that is comprehensive of the events unfolding, not simply put forth the shock value aspects. Harder to do perhaps because of the subtleties involved, but far more powerful when done well.

By: fasteddie42

fasteddie42 — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:32:05 +0000

Excellent article & I completely agree.
Social documentary covers all aspects of life, far too much coverage is given to conflict.

By: APHovasse

APHovasse — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:20:20 +0000

Every year when the World Press Photo exhibition rolls around, people always complain about the brutality of the photos. For photographers and editors, they are compelling and important, but I agree with you here, there should be a segment for War photographs and we should celebrate more positive and uplifting photographs.

By: Fotogma

Fotogma — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:19:21 +0000

It is interesting Many of the great photographers were established before they covered WW2. As usual people have got the the thing backwards. You don’t need to cover war stories to be a great photographer. Great photographers can cover any event .. that’s why they are great.

By: hkrieger

hkrieger — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:58:18 +0000

Photos about ordinary life:
“Photo essays in black and white”
http://www.efn.org/~hkrieger

By: CapeTownGirl

CapeTownGirl — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:01:32 +0000

A brilliant piece of writing Radu!